The Gonkulator!!! - My first cabinet - 90% done

[rschwarz_jr]

I've been building my first cabinet for several months now and now that I'm wrapping up I remembered to take some pictures.
I'd love to hear some comments, criticism and suggestions.

It's called the Gonkulator. It's a term that everyone has heard or used. I used to use it in my tech days to explain to the computer illiterate why their system was broken. "Were working on the Gonkulator" When I looked up what it meant and where it was first used I knew it was the perfect cabinet name. It is exactly what my wife thinks of this project.

gonkulator: /gon

[lettuce]

How tall is that cab, from the first pic it looks really short, is that the same dimensions  as the Ultimate Arcade II plans?

[rschwarz_jr]

It's about 6 feet tall.
Same height as the plans plus the casters.

[JonnyBoy]

I like it. How do you like GameEx?

[Quarterhorse]

I think it looks great.  How much did this set you back?

[rschwarz_jr]

I love GameEx. I've tried all the popular front ends but I always end up with GameEx.

I try not to think about how much it cost. Every time I turned around I was buying more parts that I didn't plan on. All I know is it cost a lot more than I will admit to my wife.

[jfunk]

... All I know is it cost a lot more than I will admit to my wife.

Heh.  Amen to that. 

We're currently trying to sell our house.  At one point, my wife said that maybe someone would see my cab in the basement and offer us an extra $1k to leave it.  And I said I wouldn't..  She said, something like "You could build another one, then.."..  And I looked at her, probably with a guilty expression..  From there, the conversation went something like:

Her: "You spent..  How much..??  Are you saying..?  <LONG PAUSE> Nevermind.  I don't want to know."
Me: <Never brought it up again.  Ever>



Oh, and the cab looks GREAT!  Good name, too 

[SNAAKE]

looks great very professionally done  !

[Havok]

Looks nice and clean so far.

What type of power supply is that? I love the look and the connecting cable!

[Wetworks]

Very Neat!
I would also like to know what type of power supply that is..(would look good in a repro galaxian mame cab) and what type of MB is that?
Also is that just onboard video?
Great job!

[leapinlew]

Very Neat!
I would also like to know what type of power supply that is..(would look good in a repro galaxian mame cab) and what type of MB is that?
Also is that just onboard video?
Great job!

Looking good! Keep us up to date.

Now... Mr. Wetworks - seriously, the excorcist?! Scariest movie ever. I can never read another of your posts again.

[danny_galaga]

very nice! nothing like making look like a 'bought' one to appease the wife  . but tell me, are you going to hide the 'TVness' of your monitor?

[rschwarz_jr]

The power supply is a modular one I got for $100 at radio shack with two $50 mail in rebates (still waiting for one)
This one http://www.bytewizecomputers.com/products/7/45/702/9047
It's actually the best power supply I've ever had and it glows in the dark!!

The motherboard is an old FIC AZ11E that I had around. I picked up a AMD Athlon 1200 (not XP won't take it) to give it some new life. I had a Gig of ram unused that worked in it with a little adjustment.

It

[miles2912]

Just paint and glue some 1x2's around the inside where the bezel and plexi will go.  It will give you a mounting point for the bezel and plexi.  I am not sure how velcro will hold it up?  A few screws will hold the bezel and plexi in and you can easily remove them if you need to.

Don

[rschwarz_jr]

but wouldn't you see the screws?
Thats what I was trying to avoid.

[Wetworks]

Very Neat!
I would also like to know what type of power supply that is..(would look good in a repro galaxian mame cab) and what type of MB is that?
Also is that just onboard video?
Great job!

Looking good! Keep us up to date.

Now... Mr. Wetworks - seriously, the excorcist?! Scariest movie ever. I can never read another of your posts again.

Yes was meaning to change that! Started to scare myself ! Have you seen the exorcism of Emily Rose watched that the other day and it was just as scary. Hope you find my new one easier on the eye!

[miles2912]

but wouldn't you see the screws?
Thats what I was trying to avoid.

They are a very simple solution.  If you are worried about how they will look, some small black head wood screws will blend in and no one will notice.  I used silver screws in mine and they do not stand out. 
If you do not want to use screws that bad I would attach the 1x2's and then make some kind of bracket to hold the plexi glass.  If the bezel and plexi are cut to fit just right they should be snug.  Lay the bezel down then make an attachment up to to hold the top of the plexi.  You might be able to make something that will attach to the lid of the CP to hold the bottom of the plexi.  So when you close the CP it is secure.  Once the plexi is secured the bezel will not move.

Don